humus etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: humus ("earth")

Meaning:

Humus refers to the decomposed organic matter in soil. It is a dark, fertile material that provides essential nutrients and structure to support plant growth.

Origin:

1. Latin Word:

  • The Latin word "humus" originally meant "earth" or "ground." It was commonly used to refer to the soil or dirt.

2. Agricultural Context:

  • In agriculture, humus was recognized as a valuable component of soil that improved fertility and plant growth.

3. Scientific Definition:

  • In the 18th century, scientists began to study the nature of humus and its role in soil health.
  • In 1862, the German chemist Justus von Liebig defined humus as "the residue of plant materials which have undergone partial decomposition."

Current Usage:

Today, humus is widely understood as the dark, organic matter in soil that is essential for plant growth. It contributes to:

  • Nutrient availability
  • Water retention
  • Soil structure
  • Microbial activity

humus relate terms

  • inhumation

    Etymology From Latin inhumāre meaning to bury in the ground Derived from in in

  • humus

    Etymology Latin humus earth Meaning Humus refers to the decomposed organic mat

  • inhume

    Etymology The word inhume originates from the Latin word inhumāre which means to

  • humus

    Etymology Latin humus earth Meaning Humus refers to the decomposed organic mat

  • antichthon

  • autochthon

  • autochthonic

    Etymology and Origin The word autochthonic is derived from the Greek words auto se

  • bonhomie

    Etymology Bonhomie is derived from the Old French word bonhom meaning good natured

  • bridegroom

    Etymology Old English brydguma from bryd bride and guma man Meaning A m

  • camomile

    Etymology Origin Latin camomilla from Greek khamaimēlon literally earth apple Deri

  • chameleon

    Etymology The word chameleon derives from the Ancient Greek word χαμαιλέων

  • chernozem

    Etymology Chernozem is a Russian word derived from two Slavic roots Chyornyy чер

  • chthonic

    Etymology Greek χθόνιος khthónios earthly subterranean infernal Derived

  • exhume

    Etymology Latin ex out humus ground Meaning The word exhume means to dig up o

  • homage

    Etymology Old French omaige Low Latin homagium Medieval Latin hominaticum Latin hom

  • hombre

    Etymology The word hombre originates from the Spanish language where it means man

  • homicide

    Etymology Derived from the Latin words homo man and caedere to kill Originally

  • hominid

    Etymology Hominid is derived from the Latin homini meaning of man Meaning and Or

  • homunculus

    Etymology Latin homunculus homo human unculus diminutive suffix Meaning

  • human

    Etymology Latin humanus Proto Indo European dʰǵʰéǵʰōm Meaning A person

  • humane

    Etymology The word humane comes from the Latin word humanus meaning human It is

  • humble

    Etymology The word humble comes from the Latin word humilis which means low or on

  • humiliate

    Etymology humiliate 1520s from Late Latin humiliāre from Latin humilis humble lo

  • humility

    Etymology Latin humilitas from humus earth soil ground Meaning The quality o

  • humus

    Etymology Latin humus earth Meaning Humus refers to the decomposed organic mat

  • inhumation

    Etymology From Latin inhumāre meaning to bury in the ground Derived from in in

  • inhume

    Etymology The word inhume originates from the Latin word inhumāre which means to

  • nemo

    Etymology and Origin The word nemo comes from the Latin word nemo meaning nobody or

  • ombre

    Etymology French ombre Latin umbra shadow Meaning A gradual blending of colo

  • humility

    Etymology Latin humilitas from humus earth soil ground Meaning The quality o

  • humble

    Etymology The word humble comes from the Latin word humilis which means low or on

  • humid

    Etymology The word humid comes from the Latin word humidus which means moist or

  • Adam

    Etymology Derived from the Hebrew word adamah אדמה meaning earth or ground

  • humor

    Etymology The word humor derives from the Latin word humor meaning liquid or mois

  • silo

    Etymology The word silo comes from the Latin word sīrus meaning pit for storing g

  • soil

    Etymology The word soil originates from the Old French word soil which itself derive

  • paste

    Etymology The word paste comes from the Middle English word paste which in turn come

  • spate

    Etymology Old English spetan to spit eject Proto Germanic spetan Proto Indo Europ